East Orange boil water advisory partially lifted days after E. coli found in city water supply

EAST ORANGE — The boil water advisory in East Orange was partially lifted today, days after officials detected E. coli bacteria in the city’s water supply.

All areas of East Orange south of the Second River no longer need to boil water, according to the East Orange Water Commission.

Officials detected the latest occurrence of the bacteria on Thursday and the state Department of Environmental Protection ordered retesting over the weekend, said Harry Mansmann, executive director of the East Orange Water Commission.

The water commission takes monthly samples and found two of 84 samples in September that tested positive for E. coli bacteria, which often causes food poisoning in humans but can also cause more serious problems. "We should be able to get out of this water boil shortly," Mansmann said today.

Residents under the advisory should boil water for at least one minute before using for drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice and mixing baby formula.